Preservative compositions for wood products

ABSTRACT

Preservative compositions for wood products is described. The compositions include at least one boron-containing material, such as but not limited to boric anhydride, and at least one silane-containing material, such as but not limited to methyltrichlorosilane. Optionally, at least one solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, pentane, or water, may also be employed in the compositions. The compositions impart protection to the treated wood products, especially damage caused by exposure to water and insects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to wood productpreservatives, and more particularly to wood product preservativecompositions including at least one boron-containing material and atleast one silane-containing material.

[0002] The use of wood products, such as lumber, in modern society isextremely widespread. For example, wood products are found in housingconstruction materials, crating materials, telephone pole materials,fencing materials, indoor and outdoor furniture, as well as many otherapplications.

[0003] Although wood is an extremely useful and versatile material toemploy with respect to the afore-mentioned applications, it does sufferfrom certain disadvantages. This is especially true with respect to woodproducts that are used primarily for outdoor applications.

[0004] For example, wood, especially untreated wood, is susceptible todamage caused by the elements, especially water, as well as insects(e.g., termites, certain types of ants, and other boring insects).

[0005] Water damage typically causes wood products to warp, crack,check, as well as become discolored and mildewed. Insect damagetypically causes wood products to rot and decay. Typically, water and/orinsect damage leads to the eventual replacement of the damaged sectionof wood at great expense, effort, and inconvenience.

[0006] Although wood preservative and protectant manufacturers havemarketed various wood treatment products to supposedly prevent, orreduce the likelihood of, the occurrence of water and insect damage towood products, these products have not been completely satisfactory,especially with regard to effectiveness, cost concerns, ease ofapplication, duration of treatment time, and duration of protectionafforded.

[0007] Therefore, there exists a need for preservation compositions forvarious wood products that will provide satisfactory protection againstwater and insect damage, as well as being highly effective, relativelyinexpensive, relatively easy to apply, have a relatively short treatmenttime, and provide a relatively long period of protection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide new andimproved preservative compositions for wood products and methods forusing same.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide new andimproved preservative compositions for wood products and methods forusing same, wherein the preservative compositions protect the woodproducts against water damage and/or insect damage.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide new andimproved preservative compositions for wood products and methods forusing same, wherein the preservative compositions contain at least oneboron-containing material and at least one silane-containing material.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide new andimproved preservative compositions for wood products and methods forusing same, wherein the preservative compositions contain at least oneboron-containing material, at least one silane-containing material, andat least one solvent.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide new andimproved preservative compositions for wood products and methods forusing same, wherein the preservative compositions contain boricanhydride and methyltrichlorosilane.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide new andimproved preservative composition for wood products and methods forusing same, wherein the preservative compositions contain boricanhydride, methyltrichlorosilane, and tetrahydrofuran.

[0014] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, apreservative composition for wood products is provided, comprising: (1)at least one boron-containing material; and (2) at least onesilane-containing material.

[0015] In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention,a preservative composition for wood products is provided, comprising:(1) boric anhydride; and (2) methyltrichlorosilane.

[0016] In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, amethod for protecting a wood product is provided, comprising: (1)providing a composition comprising at least one boron-containingmaterial and at least one silane-containing material; and (2) contactingthe wood product with the composition.

[0017] In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention,a method for protecting a wood product is provided, comprising: (1)providing a first composition comprising at least one boron-containingmaterial; (2) contacting the wood product with the first composition;(3) providing a second composition comprising at least onesilane-containing material; and (4) contacting the wood product with thesecond composition.

[0018] A more complete appreciation of the present invention and itsscope can be obtained from the following detailed description of theinvention and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention includes compositions, and method of usetherefor, for preserving, protecting, and treating wood and woodproducts so as to impart protection against various sources of damage,including, but not limited to water and/or insects. The terms“preserving,” “protecting,” and “treating,” as those terms are usedinterchangeably herein, are meant to include any methods of, andcompositions for, protecting wood and wood products from damage causedby any source, including, but not limited to water and/or insects. Theterms “wood” and “wood products,” as those terms are usedinterchangeably herein, are meant to include any object containing anyamount of wood.

[0020] In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the preservative composition consists primarily of at leastone boron-containing material and at least one silane-containingmaterial.

[0021] The boron-containing material is preferably in the form of boricanhydride (chemical formula: B₂O₃), although other forms ofboron-containing materials are acceptable. By way of a non-limitingexample, borax (chemical formula: Na₂B₄O₇.10H₂O), and disodiumoctaborate tetrahydrate (chemical formula: Na₂B₈O₁₃.4H₂O) may be used aswell. Effective fungal and fire resistance can be obtained with a boronloading of 0.1 weight percent, based on the total weight of the treatedwood product. However, in order to prevent wood-boring insectinfestation (e.g., by ants and termites), a loading of 1-2 weightpercent of boron is generally required. For more problematic insects,such as the Formosan termite, a loading of 7 weight percent of boron isgenerally required. Therefore, the present invention provides a product,and method of using same, to introduce boron into the wood product atlevels of at least about 0.1 to at least about 7 weight percent and sealit to prevent environmental factors (e.g., rain) from leaching it fromthe interior of the treated wood product.

[0022] Silanes are generally defined a class of silicon-based materials,analogous to alkanes, that is, straight-chain, saturated paraffinhydrocarbons having the general formula Si_(N)H_(2N+2), wherein N is aninteger equal to 1 or higher. The silane-containing material ispreferably in the form of trichloromethylsilane (chemical formula:CH₃Cl₃Si), although other forms of silane-containing materials areacceptable. Examples of other silane-containing materials useful inpracticing the present invention include, without limitation:

[0023] (Chloromethyl) Trichlorosilane;

[0024] [3-(Heptafluoroisoproxy)Propyl]Trichlorosilane;

[0025] 1,6-Bis(Trichlorosilyl)Hexane;

[0026] 3-Bromopropyltrichlorosilane;

[0027] Allylbromodimethylsilane;

[0028] Allyltrichlorosilane;

[0029] Bromomethylchlorodimethylsilane;

[0030] Bromothimethylsilane;

[0031] Chloro(Chloromethyl)Dimethylsilane; Chlorodiisopropyloctylsilane;

[0032] Chlorodiisopropylsilane;

[0033] Chlorodimethylethylsilane;

[0034] Chlorodimethylphenylsilane;

[0035] Chlorodimethylsilane;

[0036] Chlorodiphenylmethylsilane;

[0037] Chlorotriethylsilane;

[0038] Chlorotrimethylsilane;

[0039] Dichlorodimethylsilane;

[0040] Dichloromethylsilane;

[0041] Dichloromethylvinylsilane;

[0042] Diphenyldichlorosilane;

[0043] Di-t-Butylchlorosilane;

[0044] Ethyltrichlorosilane;

[0045] Iodotrimethylsilane;

[0046] Pentyltrichlorosilane;

[0047] Phenyltrichlorosilane;

[0048] Trichloro(3,3,3-Trifluoropropyl)Silane;

[0049] Trichloro(Dichloromethyl)Silane; and

[0050] Trichlorovinylsilane.

[0051] In accordance with a highly preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the preservative composition consists primarily of at leastone boron-containing material, at least one silane-containing material,and at least one solvent.

[0052] The solvent is preferably in the form of tetrahydrofuran (THF),although other solvents are acceptable. For example, hydrocarbons whichare liquid at room temperature are acceptable. Examples of thesehydrocarbons include, without limitation, pentane, hexane, and heptane.

[0053] The preparation of an illustrative preservative composition, inaccordance with the general teachings of the present invention, ispresented in Example I, below:

EXAMPLE I

[0054] Approximately 50 ml of THF was added to a 250 ml Erlenmeyerflask. Approximately 1.0 gm of boric anhydride (B₂O₃) was added to theflask and stirred. The mixture was cloudy at first, but graduallycleared upon sitting for 5 minutes. A small amount of B₂O₃ remained onthe bottom of the flask. Approximately 10 to 15 ml oftrichloromethylsilane was then slowly added to the solution. No visualevidence of an exothermic reaction was observed. The solution remainedclear.

[0055] In order to determine the effectiveness of the illustrativepreservative composition prepared in Example I, a comparison test wasperformed between a treated portion and an untreated portion of a pieceof plywood board. The results of the comparison test are presented inExample II, below:

EXAMPLE II

[0056] An eyedropper was used to deposit several drops of thepreservative composition prepared in Example I to a piece of plywoodboard. No evidence of an exothermic reaction or the evolution of foulsmelling HCI gas was observed with the addition of the prepared solutionto the wood sample. The composition diffused laterally across thesurface of the board in addition to vertically through the board. Waterwas poured onto the treated area and it effectively repelled the water.The water was immediately absorbed in the untreated portion. Severaldrops were also deposited on the edge of the board to determine theeffect of the solvent (i.e., THF) on the glue. A screwdriver and aspatula were used to try to separate the layers. This effort wasunsuccessful.

[0057] In order to further determine the effectiveness of theillustrative preservative composition prepared in Example I, acomparison test was performed between a treated portion and an untreatedportion of a piece of hardwood. The results of the comparison test arepresented in Example III, below:

EXAMPLE III

[0058] Several drops of the preservative composition prepared in ExampleI were applied to a solid piece of hardwood. The sample was allowed tosit for several minutes prior to exposing it to water. Upon drying, nowhite residue was observed on the surface of the sample. Water wasrepelled off both sides of the sample even though just one side wastreated.

[0059] The preparation of another illustrative preservative composition,in accordance with the general teachings of the present invention, ispresented in Example IV, below:

EXAMPLE IV

[0060] 20 ml of THF was added to a 100 ml beaker. Approximately 1 gm ofB₂O₃ and 1 ml of trichloromethylsilane was added to the THF solvent. Thetotal volume was approximately 22 ml.

[0061] In order to determine the effectiveness of the illustrativepreservative composition prepared in Example IV, a comparison test wasperformed between a treated portion and an untreated portion of a pieceof plywood board. The results of the comparison test are presented inExample V, below:

EXAMPLE V

[0062] A piece of plywood, ⅝ inches>⅝ inches×3½ inches was placed into abeaker and partially submerged into the preservative compositionprepared in Example IV. The beaker was covered for approximately 5minutes. After 5 minutes, the piece of plywood was removed and allowedto air dry. The volume of the preservative composition remaining in thebeaker had been reduced by 2-3 ml, or about 10%. There was no visiblewhite deposit on the surface of the plywood. Surface samples wereremoved from both the treated and untreated portions of the plywood inorder to evaluate them under a microscope. There was an observabledifference between the samples. The treated plywood appeared as thoughit had been coated in glass or white cotton coating. There was adifference in the appearance of the heartwood and the sapwood. The cellsof the untreated plywood appeared empty, while those of the treated woodappeared to be coated with glass. When drops of methanol were added tothe plywood samples, the treated sample beaded up and looked like ajelly on the surface of the sample. Whereas, the run off water wasreadily absorbed on the untreated plywood. A piece (½ inch×½ inch×%inches) of this plywood was placed in a 100 ml beaker containing 10 mlof water and covered with a watch glass. The sample was allowed to situndisturbed for 24 hours and then the plywood was removed from thewater. The FTIR of the water from the leaching experiment showed aslight peak @ 800 cm-1. The peak was not strongly defined as in the caseof the silane reference peaks. The treated plywood showed no sign ofsilanes on the surface after being soaked in water for 24 hours. It did,however, readily repel water on all sides. The cut surface also repelledwater even though it was never in direct contact with the preservativecomposition. It was ½ inch to ¾ inches away from the preservativecomposition.

[0063] There were several benefits that were observed for using asolvent, such as THF, over just a neat application ofmethyltrichlorosilane, including: (1) costs were reduced by dilution(e.g., with THF) of the neat methyltrichlorosilane solution; (2) noevidence of an exothermic reaction was observed; (3) no white residuewas left on the surface of the treated wood; (4) boron and silanereadily penetrated into and diffused through the wood and were deliveredin one step; (5) little or no drying time was necessary prior to use;(6) cycle treatment time was drastically reduced over the CCA process;(7) no delamination or degradation of plywood was observed; (8) thetreated wood was rendered waterproof; (9) the treated wood was renderedinsect resistant (by virtue of the boron present); (10) the treated woodwas rendered fire resistant (by virtue of the boron present); (11) thetreated wood resisted leaching.

[0064] In order to determine the boron penetration and retentioncharacteristics of the preservative composition of the presentinvention, an experiment was carried out as described in Example VI,below:

EXAMPLE VI

[0065] In a 2 liter Erlenmeyer flask, 800 milliliters of THF was added.A magnetic stirring bar began stirring at a low rate. To this stirredsolution, 6.895 grams (0.7 percent by weight of solvent) of B₂O₃ wasslowly added. The mixture was allowed to stir for 20 to 30 minutes. Thesolution was clear, although some undissolved B₂O₃ did remain on thebottom of the flask. To this stirred solution, 200 milliliters ofmethyltrichlorosilane was transferred via nitrogen pressurized canula,over a 10 minute period. The system was well behaved and no evidence ofan exothermic reaction was observed. This resulted in an approximate 20volume percent methyltrichlorosilane solution. The solution was stirredfor 10 minutes and then stirring was ceased. A small amount ofundissolved B₂O₃ remained on the bottom of the flask. A 500 milliliteraliquot was decanted into each of two 1 liter beakers and covered with alarge watch glass. A first set of wood blocks had the dimensions of 1inch×2 inches×⅝ inches. A second set of wood blocks were ¾ inch cubes.The wood blocks from each sample were placed individually into theirrespective solutions. A smaller watch glass was placed inside the beakersuch that the weight of the watch glass kept the wood block samplescompletely submerged. The samples were allowed to stand in the solutionfor 1 hour. Some bubbling took place throughout the entire process.After the 1 hour treatment, the wood block were removed from thesolution and allowed to air dry overnight. The pieces of wood appearedto “smoke” while drying. The smoke was believed to be hydrochloric acid.It is probably produced from the hydrolysis of the unreactedmethyltrichlorosilane present on the surface of the wood. The solutionappeared turbid and slightly discolored following the treatment.

[0066] It was observed that one hour is probably too long to expose thewood to the preservative composition as described above. The treatedwood has a tendency to smoke (i.e., evolve HCl) due to excess silane onthe surface of the wood. A 5 to 10 minute exposure to the preservativecomposition as described above is probably more than sufficient toachieve the aforementioned benefits.

[0067] Additionally, the appearance of the wood treated with thepreservative composition as described above for 1 hour is gray or ashenin appearance. This is probably due to the boron. This feature is notpresent in the material treated for 5 to 10 minutes with thepreservative composition as described above.

[0068] In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, the boron-containing material is preferably impregnated intothe wood product prior to, and separately from, impregnation by thesilane-containing material.

[0069] It was observed that the most effective method for introducingboron into the wood product, at a concentration of 1 weight percent orgreater (based on the total weight of the treated wood product), is withthe use of water as the solvent, as opposed to hydrocarbons such as THF,and preferably under the influence of a pressurized treatment vessel.

[0070] Although THF was used initially as a solvent for theboron-containing material because it is commonly used in boronchemistry, the problem is that boron is marginally soluble in THF andrepeated treatment cycles must be used in order to reach 1 weightpercent boron loading in the untreated wood product. Accordingly,because of the differences in the types of solvents needed, it ispreferred that the boron-containing material be introduced into the woodproduct prior to, and separately from, the introduction of thesilane-containing material into the wood product.

[0071] Following a four hour treatment period with the boron-containingmaterial/water solution, this should result in a final boronconcentration of 2 weight percent. It should be noted that higher boronloading concentrations could be achieved by varying (e.g., increasing)the boron concentration in the boron-containing treatment solutionand/or by varying (e.g., increasing) the treatment period. It was thendetermined whether the wet, treated wood product (i.e.,boron-impregnated) could be subsequently treated with thesilane-containing material (e.g., methyltrichlorosilane solution) toyield acceptable results.

[0072] In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, it was observed that the performance and cost of the pentanesolvent is superior to that of THF for the purpose of applying themethyltrichlorosilane to the wet, boron-impregnated wood product.

[0073] By way of a non-limiting example, a preferred concentration ofmethyltrichlorosilane in pentane, wherein the methyltrichlorosilane ispresent at 1 to 3 volume percent, should be used in the treatment ofboron-impregnated wood products. For example, thick wood products suchas railroad ties may require higher levels of the methyltrichlorosilaneto be present, whereas thinner wood products, such as planking forfences and decks and dimensional lumber, may require lower levels of themethyltrichlorosilane to be present. However, at least one exposed(untreated or unpainted) surface will generally be necessary in order tointroduce boron-containing materials into pre-existing woodenstructures.

[0074] In order to determine the silane penetration characteristics ofthe alternative methodology on treated (i.e. boron-impregnated) woodproducts, an experiment was carried out as described in Example VII,below:

EXAMPLE VII

[0075] Initially, a 1 volume percent solution ofmethyltrichlorosilane/pentane was prepared and applied to a piece ofwood saturated with water. A second solution, with a 3 volume percentconcentration of methyltrichlorosilane/pentane, was also prepared andtested. Two separate pieces of water-saturated wood were sprayedimmediately following the removal of the wood from a boron-containingtreatment vessel. The wood pieces had been previously treated with thepressurized aqueous solution of boron-containing material for 2 hours.The wood did not appear to repeal or bead water immediately followingthe treatment. However, as the wood dried, it displayed evidence ofcomplete water repulsion. Following a 24 hour drying time, the exteriorof the 1 volume percent solution treatment indicated partialwaterproofing capability. No observable coating was evident on thesurface of the wood. Following a 24 hour drying time, the exterior ofthe 3 volume percent solution treatment was completely waterproof. Uponbreaking the wood in half and exposing an interior surface, thepenetration of the silane was evident at the thickness of a human hair.Better results were obtained when additional wood pieces were treatedwith the 3 volume percent concentration of methyltrichlorosilane/pentanesolution in time intervals of 30 minutes, 2.5 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks,and 4 weeks, after removal of the sample wood pieces from theboron-containing treatment vessel. This may indicate that it may not bepossible to treat totally wet wood, and it may be necessary to partiallydry the wood prior to the application of themethyltrichlorosilane/pentane solution.

[0076] The performance of the solvent pentane appeared to be superior toTHF when applying the methyltrichlorosilane to the treated wood. Thereactivity of the methyltrichlorosilane was reduced and no appreciableamounts of hydrochloric acid (HCl) gas was observed following treatment.This may be due, in part, to the fact that the silane was present inconcentrations of 3 volume percent or less.

[0077] Furthermore, when sprayed topically on the surface of a latexpainted piece of wood, the methyltrichlorosilane/pentane solutionpenetrates the paint layer and effectively seals the wood layer belowthe paint surface. When sprayed topically on the surface of an oil-basedpainted piece of wood, the methyltrichlorosilane/pentane solutionpenetrates the paint layer and effectively seals the wood layer belowthe paint surface.

[0078] In order to determine the silane penetration characteristics ofthe alternative methodology on wood products having painted surfaces, anexperiment was carried out as described in Example VIII, below:

EXAMPLE VIII

[0079] A 3 volume percent solution of methyltrichlorosilane/pentane wasprepared and introduced to a 1-gallon plastic pump sprayer. Thissolution was then sprayed topically on the surface of latex andoil-based painted blocks of wood. A single pass spraying resulted in theincorporation of the silane beneath the surface of the paint. Extensivespraying appeared to reduce the thickness of the latex paint. Thepenetration was observed approximately 1 inch deep into the wood matrix.No amount of spraying appeared to diminish the thickness or adhesion ofthe oil-based paint on the surface of the wood.

[0080] The waterproofing penetration of the 1 volume percent solution ofmethyltrichlorosilane in pentane is preferably 0.75 inches, and thewaterproofing penetration of the 3 volume percent solution ofmethyltrichlorosilane in pentane is preferably 1.5 inches.

[0081] In order to determine the silane penetration characteristics ofthe alternative methodology on untreated wood products, an experimentwas carried out as described in Example IX, below:

EXAMPLE IX

[0082] Both of the 1 and 3 volume percent methyltrichlorosilane/pentanesolutions were applied to fresh red oak blocks in order to determine thepenetration ability of the solutions. A quick single spray pass wasapplied to each block of wood. The waterproofing penetration of the 1volume percent solution of methyltrichlorosilane in pentane was 0.75inches. The waterproofing penetration of the 3 volume percent solutionof methyltrichlorosilane in pentane was 1.5 inches. The level ofpenetration was determined by splitting cross-sectional pieces of woodoff of the block and then introducing the wood sample to a small streamof water. The boundary of the treated and untreated wood could then bedetermined.

[0083] Accordingly, it is preferred that the 1 and 3 volume percentmethyltrichlorosilane/pentane solutions penetrate and waterproof thewood to at least 0.75 inches and to at least about 1.5 inches,respectively, with a steady one-pass application. It may be possible tohave to spray and treat only one side of a wooden structure (e.g., afence), because the wood is generally in the dimension of a 1 inch×6inch board.

[0084] The foregoing description is considered illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Furthermore, because numerous modificationsand changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and processshown as described above. Accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents that may be resorted to that fall within the scope of theinvention as defined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A preservative composition for a wood productcomprising: at least one boron-containing material; and at least onesilane-containing material.
 2. The invention according to claim 1,further comprising at least one solvent.
 3. The invention according toclaim 2, wherein the at least one solvent is a hydrocarbon.
 4. Theinvention according to claim 2, wherein the at least onesilane-containing material is present in the hydrocarbon solvent at aconcentration of 1 to 3 volume percent.
 5. The invention according toclaim 2, wherein the at least one solvent is slected from the groupconsisting of tetrahydrofuran, pentane, water, and combinations thereof.6. The invention according to claim 5, wherein the at least oneboron-containing material is dissolved in water.
 7. The inventionaccording to claim 5, wherein the at least one silane-containingmaterial is dissolved in a material selected from the group consistingof tetrahydrofuran, pentane, and combinations thereof.
 8. The inventionaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one boron-containing materialIs boric anhydride.
 9. The invention according to claim 1, wherein theat least one silane-containing material is methyltrichlorosilane. 10.The invention according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneboron-containing material is present in the wood product at aconcentration of 0.1 to 7 weight percent.
 11. The invention according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one boron-containing material is presentin the wood product at a concentration of 0.1 to 1 weight percent. 12.The invention according to claim 1, wherein the at least oneboron-containing material is present in the wood product at aconcentration of 1 to 2 weight percent.
 13. A preservative compositionfor a wood product comprising: boric anhydride; andmethyltrichlorosilane.
 14. The invention according to claim 13, furthercomprising at least one solvent.
 15. The invention according to claim14, wherein the at least one solvent Is a hydrocarbon.
 16. The inventionaccording to claim 13, wherein the methyltrichlorosilane is present inthe hydrocarbon solvent at a concentration of 1 to 3 volume percent. 17.The invention according to claim 13, wherein the at least one solvent isselected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, pentane, water,and combinations thereof.
 18. The invention according to claim 17,wherein the boric anhydride is dissolved in water.
 19. The inventionaccording to claim 17, wherein the methyltrichlorosilane is dissolved ina material selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran,pentane, and combinations thereof.
 20. The invention according to claim13, wherein the boric anhydride is present in the wood product at aconcentration of 0.1 to 7 weight percent.
 21. The invention according toclaim 13, wherein the boric anhydride is present in the wood product ata concentration of 0.1 to 1 weight percent.
 22. The invention accordingto claim 13, wherein the at least one boron-containing material ispresent in the wood product at a concentration of 1 to 2 weight percent.23. A method for protecting a wood product, comprising: providing acomposition comprising at least one boron-containing material and atleast one silane-containing material; and contacting the wood productwith the composition.
 24. The invention according to claim 23, whereinthe wood product is contacted with the composition for a sufficientperiod of time for the at least one boron-containing material and the atleast one silane-containing material to penetrate the surface of thewood product to a sufficient depth.
 25. The invention according to claim24, wherein the depth is in the range of 0.75 to 1.5 inches.
 26. Theinvention according to claim 23, further comprising providing at leastone solvent.
 27. The invention according to claim 26, wherein the atleast one solvent is a hydrocarbon.
 28. The invention according to claim27, wherein the at least one silane-containing material is present inthe hydrocarbon solvent at a concentration of 1 to 3 volume percent. 29.The invention according to claim 26, wherein the at least one solvent isselected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, pentane, water,and combinations thereof.
 30. The invention according to claim 29,wherein the at least one boron-containing material is dissolved inwater.
 31. The invention according to claim 29, wherein the at least onesilane-containing material is dissolved in a material selected from thegroup consisting of tetrahydrofuran, pentane, and combinations thereof.32. The invention according to claim 23, wherein the at least oneboron-containing material is boric anhydride.
 33. The inventionaccording to claim 23, wherein the at least one silane-containingmaterial is methyltrichlorosilane.
 34. The invention according to claim23, wherein the at least one boron-containing material is present in thewood product at a concentration of 0.1 to 7 weight percent.
 35. Theinvention according to claim 23, wherein the at least oneboron-containing material is present In the wood product at aconcentration of 0.1 to 1 weight percent.
 36. The invention according toclaim 23, wherein the at least one boron-containing material is presentin the wood product at a concentration of 1 to 2 weight percent.
 37. Amethod for protecting a wood product, comprising: providing a firstcomposition comprising at least one boron-containing material;contacting the wood product with the first composition; providing asecond composition comprising at least one silane-containing material;and contacting the wood product with the second composition.
 38. Theinvention according to claim 37, wherein the wood product is contactedwith the first and second compositions for a sufficient period of timefor the boron-containing material and the at least one silane-containingmaterial to penetrate the surface of the wood product to a sufficientdepth.
 39. The invention according to claim 37, wherein the depth is inthe range of 0.75 to 1.5 inches.
 40. The invention according to claim37, further comprising providing at least one solvent.
 41. The inventionaccording to claim 40, wherein the at least one solvent is ahydrocarbon.
 42. The invention according to claim 41, wherein the atleast one silane-containing material is present in the hydrocarbonsolvent at a concentration of 1 to 3 volume percent.
 43. The inventionaccording to claim 40, wherein the at least one solvent is selected fromthe group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, pentane, water, andcombinations thereof.
 44. The invention according to claim 43, whereinthe at least one boron-containing material is dissolved in water. 45.The invention according to claim 43, wherein the at least onesilane-containing material is dissolved in a material selected from thegroup consisting of tetrahydrofuran, pentane, and combinations thereof.46. The invention according to claim 37, wherein the at least oneboron-containing material is boric anhydride.